BMAD-METHOD/bmad-core/tasks/brainstorming-techniques.md

Brainstorming Techniques Task

This task provides a comprehensive toolkit of creative brainstorming techniques for ideation and innovative thinking. The analyst can use these techniques to facilitate productive brainstorming sessions with users.

Process

1. Session Setup

LLM: Begin by understanding the brainstorming context and goals. Ask clarifying questions if needed to determine the best approach.

1. Establish Context

   • Understand the problem space or opportunity area
   • Identify any constraints or parameters
   • Determine session goals (divergent exploration vs. focused ideation)

2. Select Technique Approach

   • Option A: User selects specific techniques
   • Option B: Analyst recommends techniques based on context
   • Option C: Random technique selection for creative variety
   • Option D: Progressive technique flow (start broad, narrow down)

2. Core Brainstorming Techniques

Creative Expansion Techniques

1. "What If" Scenarios LLM: Generate provocative what-if questions that challenge assumptions and expand thinking beyond current limitations.

   • What if we had unlimited resources?
   • What if this problem didn't exist?
   • What if we approached this from a child's perspective?
   • What if we had to solve this in 24 hours?

2. Analogical Thinking LLM: Help user draw parallels between their challenge and other domains, industries, or natural systems.

   • "How might this work like [X] but for [Y]?"
   • Nature-inspired solutions (biomimicry)
   • Cross-industry pattern matching
   • Historical precedent analysis

3. Reversal/Inversion LLM: Flip the problem or approach it from the opposite angle to reveal new insights.

   • What if we did the exact opposite?
   • How could we make this problem worse? (then reverse)
   • Start from the end goal and work backward
   • Reverse roles or perspectives

4. First Principles Thinking LLM: Break down to fundamental truths and rebuild from scratch.

   • What are the absolute fundamentals here?
   • What assumptions can we challenge?
   • If we started from zero, what would we build?
   • What laws of physics/economics/human nature apply?

Structured Ideation Frameworks

1. SCAMPER Method LLM: Guide through each SCAMPER prompt systematically.

   • S = Substitute: What can be substituted?
   • C = Combine: What can be combined or integrated?
   • A = Adapt: What can be adapted from elsewhere?
   • M = Modify/Magnify: What can be emphasized or reduced?
   • P = Put to other uses: What else could this be used for?
   • E = Eliminate: What can be removed or simplified?
   • R= Reverse/Rearrange: What can be reversed or reordered?

2. Six Thinking Hats LLM: Cycle through different thinking modes, spending focused time in each.

   • White Hat: Facts and information
   • Red Hat: Emotions and intuition
   • Black Hat: Caution and critical thinking
   • Yellow Hat: Optimism and benefits
   • Green Hat: Creativity and alternatives
   • Blue Hat: Process and control

3. Mind Mapping LLM: Create text-based mind maps with clear hierarchical structure.

   Central Concept
   ├── Branch 1
   │   ├── Sub-idea 1.1
   │   └── Sub-idea 1.2
   ├── Branch 2
   │   ├── Sub-idea 2.1
   │   └── Sub-idea 2.2
   └── Branch 3
       └── Sub-idea 3.1
   

Collaborative Techniques

1. "Yes, And..." Building LLM: Accept every idea and build upon it without judgment. Encourage wild ideas and defer criticism.

   • Accept the premise of each idea
   • Add to it with "Yes, and..."
   • Build chains of connected ideas
   • Explore tangents freely

2. Brainwriting/Round Robin LLM: Simulate multiple perspectives by generating ideas from different viewpoints.

   • Generate ideas from stakeholder perspectives
   • Build on previous ideas in rounds
   • Combine unrelated ideas
   • Cross-pollinate concepts

3. Random Stimulation LLM: Use random words, images, or concepts as creative triggers.

   • Random word association
   • Picture/metaphor inspiration
   • Forced connections between unrelated items
   • Constraint-based creativity

Deep Exploration Techniques

1. Five Whys LLM: Dig deeper into root causes and underlying motivations.

   • Why does this problem exist? → Answer → Why? (repeat 5 times)
   • Uncover hidden assumptions
   • Find root causes, not symptoms
   • Identify intervention points

2. Morphological Analysis LLM: Break down into parameters and systematically explore combinations.

   • List key parameters/dimensions
   • Identify possible values for each
   • Create combination matrix
   • Explore unusual combinations

3. Provocation Technique (PO) LLM: Make deliberately provocative statements to jar thinking.

   • PO: Cars have square wheels
   • PO: Customers pay us to take products
   • PO: The problem solves itself
   • Extract useful ideas from provocations

3. Technique Selection Guide

LLM: Help user select appropriate techniques based on their needs.

For Initial Exploration:

• What If Scenarios
• First Principles
• Mind Mapping

For Stuck/Blocked Thinking:

• Random Stimulation
• Reversal/Inversion
• Provocation Technique

For Systematic Coverage:

• SCAMPER
• Morphological Analysis
• Six Thinking Hats

For Deep Understanding:

• Five Whys
• Analogical Thinking
• First Principles

For Team/Collaborative Settings:

• Brainwriting
• "Yes, And..."
• Six Thinking Hats

4. Session Flow Management

LLM: Guide the brainstorming session with appropriate pacing and technique transitions.

1. Warm-up Phase (5-10 min)

   • Start with accessible techniques
   • Build creative confidence
   • Establish "no judgment" atmosphere

2. Divergent Phase (20-30 min)

   • Use expansion techniques
   • Generate quantity over quality
   • Encourage wild ideas

3. Convergent Phase (15-20 min)

   • Group and categorize ideas
   • Identify patterns and themes
   • Select promising directions

4. Synthesis Phase (10-15 min)

   • Combine complementary ideas
   • Refine and develop concepts
   • Prepare summary of insights

5. Output Format

LLM: Present brainstorming results in an organized, actionable format.

Session Summary:

• Techniques used
• Number of ideas generated
• Key themes identified

Idea Categories:

1. Immediate Opportunities - Ideas that could be implemented now
2. Future Innovations - Ideas requiring more development
3. Moonshots - Ambitious, transformative ideas
4. Insights & Learnings - Key realizations from the session

Next Steps:

• Which ideas to explore further
• Recommended follow-up techniques
• Suggested research areas

Important Notes

• Maintain energy and momentum throughout the session
• Defer judgment - all ideas are valid during generation
• Quantity leads to quality - aim for many ideas
• Build on ideas collaboratively
• Document everything - even "silly" ideas can spark breakthroughs
• Take breaks if energy flags
• End with clear next actions